By Nolan Nawrocki
May 8, 2008
It’s never too early to begin taking a look at next year’s draft class. After a bevy of junior linebackers surprisingly decided to stay in school for their senior seasons, next year’s LB class appears to be very strong; next year’s junior class appears heavy in pass rushers. Heading into next season, there are several signalcallers who could emerge but no bona fide first-rounder. The typical powerhouses — Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma and USC — remain heaviest in young talent. Senior pro prospects
1. MLB James Laurinaitis | Ohio State
Instinctive, playmaking middle ’backer with a terrific nose for the ball will look to add a national title to a trophy mantel that already includes Nagurski (nation’s best defensive player) and Butkus (nation’s best linebacker) awards.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/NR/rdonlyres/ejndclbxkobateookmjyrixhvyjs5qdmw2jfaco56ijctpyvag o25ma6ta3fo3rhgb3jcc35pv2udh/ahead200.gif Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis (left)
and Mississippi OT Michael Oher
2. OLT Michael Oher | Mississippi
The subject of the national best-seller (and soon to be a movie) “The Blind Side” by Michael Lewis, Oher is a rare physical specimen with a chance to be great if he continues to overcome trust issues stemming from his rough upbringing.
3. DE Michael Johnson | Georgia Tech
Chan Gailey might have been relieved of his duties for not getting the rangy, long-limbed, playmaking pass rusher on the field more often.
4. CB Malcolm Jenkins | Ohio State
With the size to play safety and the speed to lineup at cornerback, Jenkins’ versatility could be very attractive in the pros if he toughens up.
5. MLB Rey Maualuga | USC
Muscle-bound sledgehammer in the mold of Junior Seau, Maualuga often looks like a man among boys, and he dominated in the Rose Bowl.
6. TE Brandon Pettigrew | Oklahoma State
A big, strong, complete tight end with natural athleticism, agility and strength to run after the catch, Pettigrew needs to stay focused after a postseason arrest in January.
7. MLB Darry Beckwith | LSU
Very tough, instinctive, physical thumper with a great knack for the ball, Beckwith was a steady force in the middle for the defending national champs and finally should be healthy after undergoing knee surgery down the stretch last season.
8. DE Tyson Jackson | LSU
A big, strong base end, Jackson will bring the most value as a five-technique in a 3-4 front.
9. OLT Phil Loadholt | Oklahoma
A mountain of a man who is still raw and learning the game, Loadholt looks like a young Bryant McKinnie.
10. LB Brian Cushing | USC
Big, strong, athletic and physical with pass-rush ability if he can stay healthy.
Junior pro prospects
1. QB Matt Stafford | Georgia
Has one of the best arms in the country and tremendous upside but must continue to make major strides in his accuracy and his understanding of the game.
2. CB Vontae Davis | Illinois
Big, physical, very fast cover corner with shutdown ability and NFL bloodlines.
3. DE Everette Brown | Florida State
Might only have been a part-time starter but is more physically gifted than former Seminole Kamerion Wimbley.
4. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey | Maryland
A very good-sized, sure-handed, vertical threat with run-after-the-catch ability, explosive return skills and big-play ability.
5. RB Chris Wells | Ohio State
Has it all — impressive size, power, run strength, vision and finishing speed.
6. DE Auston English | Oklahoma
Led the Big 12 in sacks (9½) despite missing three games with a hairline fracture in his right ankle and playing the final two games of the season with a rod in his ankle.
7. DE Willie Young | North Carolina State
Came on strong down the stretch and looks like a young Manny Lawson.
8. DE Maurice Evans | Penn State
Emerged as a very disruptive pass rusher.
9. S Taylor Mays | USC
Very athletic back-half defender with impressive size-speed ratio. Might be too big for his own good and could project to linebacker.
10. TE Jermaine Gresham | Oklahoma
Very physically gifted, soft-handed pass catcher with the movement skills and grace of a wide receiver.

revefsreleets

05-15-2008, 08:29 PM

That's an awful lot of Buckeyes and Big Ten players. Doesn't the writer know that the Big Ten sucks and OSU is wildly overrated, slow and untalented?

millwalldavey

05-16-2008, 09:27 AM

That's an awful lot of Buckeyes and Big Ten players. Doesn't the writer know that the Big Ten sucks and OSU is wildly overrated, slow and untalented?

I hate OSU... but the above is incorrect this year.

Rhee Rhee

05-17-2008, 08:29 PM

everrette brown of FSU and vontae davis of Illinois are two scary players that i'm starting to have man-love for.

Elvis

05-18-2008, 08:11 AM

Check out the thread of mine about the '09 Defensive Prospects.. It just seems like the USC team is loaded and I dont see how they could lose a game all year.

revefsreleets

05-19-2008, 10:12 PM

Check out the thread of mine about the '09 Defensive Prospects.. It just seems like the USC team is loaded and I dont see how they could lose a game all year.

That's the same prognosis every year. Yet they lost to the worst 1-A team in college football last year on their own field.

Too many ego's, too close to Hollywood, and Carroll loses control of his team from time to time. They'll be up for the Buckeye's game though, and it'll be "A game vs A game" for that one. USC always chokes later in the year.

Rhee Rhee

05-26-2008, 03:46 PM

That's the same prognosis every year. Yet they lost to the worst 1-A team in college football last year on their own field.

Too many ego's, too close to Hollywood, and Carroll loses control of his team from time to time. They'll be up for the Buckeye's game though, and it'll be "A game vs A game" for that one. USC always chokes later in the year.

just imagine the stat line for maualuga and laurinitis for that game...